Required Text

Course Prerequisites:

• Physics 340 and Math 216. (3). (Excl). (BS).
  

  Course Structure:

This course is a quantitative introduction to modern physics and includes a review of electromagnetic waves, the relationship of particles and waves, the Schrödinger equation applied to barrier problems, atomic structure and the interpretation of quantum numbers, the exclusion principle and its applications, structure of solids. This course includes a survey of the topics and techniques in several sub fields of physics, including Solid State, Atomic, Nuclear, and Particle Physics. The class will meet as a lecture group. Applications of the principles will be considered in the lecture section on a regular basis.

Grading

Your course grade will be determined according to the following percentages:

• Midterm #1      20%
• Midterm #1      20%
• Final Exam       30%
• Homework       30%

Homework

• Must be handed in on time for credit
• Must be written neatly on stapled paper
• Must show derivations and clearly labeled answers  (circle answers)
• Solutions will be posted electronically after the homework is due

General Remarks

• Lectures:    

  • The course will be based equally on the lectures and the text book. The text book will also provide the homework problems. We chose the new (4^th) edition of Tipler as coursebook for this semester. 
  • If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to learn the material covered during the class.  We are not going to repeat the lecture.
• Exams:
  • There will be three 80-minute in-class exams: There will be no makeup exams during the fall 2004 semester. If for any legitimate reason, e.g. illness, you cannot be present for the exams, notify me PRIOR to the examination time.
  • The first exam is currently scheduled for Thursday, October 21, 10:10-11:30am. This is the Thursday immediately following the Fall Study Break. 
  • The second exam is currently scheduled for Thursday, November 18, 10:10-11:30am.
  • The final exam is scheduled for Tuesday, December 14, 0:10-11:30am. This is the last day of class for Phys 390.
  • If you have any exam conflict, please notify me in writing during the next few weeks. If you cannot take the final exam, you must take the make-up exam in April, 2005.
  • All exams will be closed book. Necessary constants and formulas will  be provided. Bring a calculator to the examinations. Mistakes are made occasionally on grading exams or homework. If you feel that an error was made, you have one week from the day the exam or homework was returned to submit for a re-grade. All requests for  re-grading and questions about grading must be in writing and NOTHING must be written or changed on your exam or homework.
• Help:
  • There are several physics tutoring services available. Most important is the physics department's Physics Help Room, which you will find in 1416 Randall Lab. This room is open  Monday-Thursday 9am-8pm, and Friday 9am-5pm, and there will be tutors there all the time. In addition, the Student Physics Society offers free tutoring every Monday 7-9pm.